Youth Encourage Victims of Modern Day Slavery

Date Posted:
3/12/2015

A handmade card is a rarity these days, but students at Friendswood UMC have recently made almost 100 of them for distribution to victims of modern day slavery known as human trafficking. The statistics are staggering, particularly when they point to Texas as the number one state placing calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

In fact, it is estimated that there are around 27 million slaves in the world today -- more than any other time in history, and a large percent of trafficking involves children.

After learning about how common the problem is, Friendswood UMC’s Relevant Student Ministry was moved into action to be a light in a very dark place. According to Adrienne Harrell, associate director of student ministries, the idea to make cards of encouragement began at a UMW group. “A guest speaker talking about human trafficking mentioned this organization called Written on Your Heart that was started by a couple of friends in college,” she explains. “Several college girls started meeting regularly in a local coffee shop to make cards. Through this group up to 700 inspirational scripture, hope and love-filled cards get delivered monthly to girls and women who are -- or were --involved in human trafficking.”

Students have made 92 cards, in the last few months, that will be handed out in safe houses, resource centers, and even brothels through Written on Your Heart. Adds Adrienne, “Our first batch of cards were made by the 12 students attending our High School Girls’ Retreat in January. They were such a success that in February, we asked our 6th-12th grade Sunday school students, girls and guys, to participate. Many of the cards prepared by our 6th grade boys were the most touching.” Interestingly, this occurred on Super Bowl Sunday, which is one of the largest events attracting human trafficking in the United States.

“It was also the day of our annual Ace of Cakes fundraiser for our students, so we tithed 10% of our proceeds to the fight against modern day slavery,” Adrienne shares. “It’s fitting that February 1 also happens to be National Freedom Day, when Abraham Lincoln signed the resolution to outlaw slavery. We are keeping the supplies on hand for our small groups to check out, so they can make more cards in their groups.”

For more information about Written on Your Heart or how you can donate homemade cards you can visit www.writtenonyourheart.org.